Mowing-machine.



P. L. SHEPLER.

MOWING MACHINE.

(Application'flled June 19, 1900. Renewed Fab. 3, 1902.)

(Ilo Model.) .2 Sheets-Sheet l.

'- No. 707,98l. Patented Aug. 26, I902.

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m. 707,98L' Patented Aug. 26, I902. P. L. SHEPLER.

MOWING MAQHINE.

(Application filed June 19, 1900. Renewed Feb. 3, 1902,)

(lo Model.)

2 SheetsSheet 2.

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wfA/E E INVENTOFL UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

PIUS L. SHEPLER, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

MOWlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent NO. 707,981, dated August 26, 1902.

Application filed June 19, 1900. Renewed February 3, 1902. Serial No. 92,344. (No model.)

T0 on whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PIUS L. SHEPLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mowing-Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention consists in the novel construction of a mowing-machine, and in the peculiar combination and arrangement of its various parts, as will more fully'be pointed out and shown in the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a. planview of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevationnthereof. Figs. 3, 4:, I

. side of the rectangular or main frame, as

shown. One of-the members D of the triangular frame referred to is provided with an angular bent portion E, which extends across the side membersF'and G of the rectangular frame, at one end of the latter, and acts as a brace to hold the same in place. The complementary member Iofthe frameO is provided with a similar bent'portion 1 which connects the side members of the framework B at its ends, as plainly indicated in Fig. 1. To further strengthen the rectangular frame, I provide a brace J therefor, which extends diagonally from side to side, as shown.

M M designate tubular bearings supported upon uprights M which in turn are braced to the rectangular frameworkby truss-bars M 0 is an axle journaled within the bearings just referred to, which carries loosely sleeved thereon the usual traction-wheel P, as indicated in Fig. 2. r

Q is a sprocket-wheel fixed to the axle O, and R is the usual clutch mechanism, controlled by a suitable lever S, for connecting the traction-wheel to the shaft to permit of the cutter being operated.

The reference-letter T designates the guidewheel axle, which is arranged upon the supporting-frame in advance of and below the traction-wheel axle, as plainly shown in Fig. 2. This axle is at its inner end journaled in a suitable bearing U upon the rectangular framework and at its outer end in a bearing V, located at the junction of the members I and D of the triangular frame. The guide-wheel W, which is of considerably less diameter than the traction-wheel, is j ournaled upon the end of the axle T, which projects beyond the bearing. The forward end of the rectangular frame is supported by rollers X X upon a suitable axle Y, journaled within bearings Z, which project beyond the rectangular frame, as

shown.

From the foregoing description of the arrangementof the wheeled axles it will be readily "seen that by placing the same in different horizontal planes, as described, the center of gravity of the machine will be at a point intermediate the axles, and thus the tipping of the framework forwardly or rearwardly is prevented. a

The seat A of the machine is located upon an upwardly-extending'seat-bar B, the lower end of which is provided with a foot 0, which is adj ustably secured to a brace-bar D, connecting the side members of the triangular frame. The adjustable connection between the foot referred to and the brace-bar isof very simple construction, consisting. merely of a bolt E, which is adapted to extend through the foot and through a slot F, formed in the bar. As shown in Fig. 1, the slot is of considerable length, which permits the seat to be moved either forwardly or rearwardly for a considerable distance to or beyond either of the wheeled axles. By constructing the seat in this manner I am enabled to locate the same upon the frame at a'point'in'convenient relation to the levers that are to be operated. In addition to this, however, the seat can be placed in such a position that the operator by throwing his weight suddenly rearwardly and grasping the lever G, hereinafter referred to, is enabled to lift the rollers at the forward end of the supporting-frame from off the ground to avoid obstructions in the path of the machine.

H is a stub-shaft journaled in suitable bearings 1 upon the forward end of the rectangular frame, and J is a bevel gear-wheel upon one end of said shaft.

K is a sprocket-wheel secured centrally to the shaft referred to, and L is a sprocketchain connecting the wheel K with the sprocket-wheel Q.

0 is a shaft journaled at right angles to the shaft H which carries a bevel-pinion P, that meshes with the bevel-gear referred to. Upon the end of the latter shaft is a diskcrank Q, Fig. 4, in which is swiveled apin Q R is a block fixed upon the outer end of the pin, which reciprocates vertically in a plate R upon a head S, arranged for sliding i novement in suitable guides upon the platorm.

T represents the sickle-bar of the cutter L, and U is a link connecting said sickle-bar with the sliding head, the link engaginglugs or pins V, which extend from the devices that are to be connected.

In operation when it is desired to actuate the cutter the lever S of the clutch mechanism is operated to permit of motion being imparted by the traction-whee1 through the mechanism just described to the sickle-bar, and the latter is reciprocated in the usual manner.

The cutter L is pivotally connected to the rectangular frame in any suitable manner to permit of its being raised and supported against the draft-bar when the machine is not in use.

The lever G comprises in its construction an upright portion G an inclined portion G journaled in bearings G4 upon the rectangular frame, and an upright portion G the lower end of which is secured to a connecting-rod G Fig. 1. The rod last referred to is secured to a bracket-arm G upon the cutter. The parts are so arranged that by a rocking movement of the lever G toward the that the line of draft will be as nearly as possible in the plane of operation of the cutter, so that the tendency of the latter being forced into the ground will be overcome. To accomplish this object, the draft-bar A is socured to the lower wheeled axle and a pivotal connection is formed between the bar and said axle, so that the weight of the machine will not be borne by the horses, as is usually the case Where the draft-bar is fixed to the supporting-frame. The bar A is provided at its inner end with a casting B which terminates in a sleeve C This sleeve is engaged over the guidewheel axle, as shown, forming the pivotal connection referred to. The draft-bar is also provided with a brace D, at the inner end of which is the sleeve E which engages the axle T. A collar F fixed upon the axle, prevents lateral movement of the draft-bar.

What I claim as my invention is In a mowingmachine, the combination with the supporting-frame, two wheeled axles thereon, one below and in advance of the other, rollers at the forward end of the supporting-frame, a draft-bar having its inner end pivotally connected to the lower wheeled axle, and a brace for the draft-bar extending from the latter to and having a pivotal connection with the lower axle, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PIUS L. SI-IEPLER.

Witnesses M. B. ODOGHERTY, II. 0. SMITH. 

